Fun Irish Drinks And Recipes To Try This Fall

Do you love trying out new recipes and fun cocktails? Now that autumn’s here, why not experiment with Irish food and drink that’s hearty enough to warm you up on chilly days?

With our fun Irish cooking tips, you can create a Gaelic-inspired feast that gives you an authentic taste of Emerald Isle cuisine…

Simple and rustic Irish cooking is perfect for crisp fall weather; in most cases, thick, comforting stews, and (mulled or chilled) spiced wines can also be prepared without a ton of expensive ingredients. To add dessert, opt for some ready-made shortbread or a rich fruitcake.

Perfect for dinner parties or casual family dinners, traditional Irish fare can be modified to add a touch of trendy “fusion” style…once you’ve become more familiar with these recipes, consider experimenting with different ingredients and spices to put a spin on these timeless classics…

Here are some interesting recipes to enjoy this autumn…

Real Irish Stew…

Since the seventh century, Irish families have cooked up cauldrons full of traditional and hearty Irish stew.

Today, the bronze cauldrons of the medieval age have given way to crock-pots and saucepans, but the basic ingredients and cooking processes involved in creating real Irish stew remain much the same.

To get the best result with this recipe, every ingredient should be as fresh and delectable as possible; with slow-cooked Irish stew, flavors will blend over a two-hour (or more) period, adding richness and savory goodness to the finished product.

For a gourmet effect, seek out organic meats and veggies; if budget is a factor, look for deals on the right meat cuts and ingredients, and then create a big batch of Irish stew that you can freeze in individual portions. This economical approach can make for easy microwaved lunches and dinners…

The Recipe

1/2 cup of white flour

2 tsp. of table salt

1/4 tsp. of black pepper

3 lbs. lamb, cut in one-inch pieces

3 tbsp. of fat

1/2 cup white onions, thinly sliced

Boiling water (2-1/2 cups)

6 potatoes, medium size, peeled, washed, and diced in small cubes

2 carrots, peeled, washed and diced in small cubes

2 to 3 turnips, cut in chunks

Preparation

To begin, mix white flour, salt and pepper, and cover the lamb chunks in a dredge of the flour and spices; then, heat the fat in a hot saucepan, and brown the lamb on all sides. Once you’re done, move the meat to a bigger pot.

Then, brown the onion slices in your first small saucepan, using the reserved fat; when they are golden brown, add them to the bigger pot. Now, add the boiling water to the big pot, cover, and simmer on minimum heat for about 2 hours.

Parboil your potatoes by cooking them briefly in boiling water; drain them and add them to the big pot twenty minutes before serving time. At this point, also add your cut-up carrots and turnips. Cook to your preferred doneness, and add some of the dredging flour to your pot if you want a thicker sauce.

Serve in bowls, with thick cuts of Irish soda bread on the side; for a change of pace, make dumplings and add them to your stew. A pint of Guinness or spiced wine will round out the meal.

If you’re not fond of lamb, substitute stewing beef, and use beef broth in place of the boiling water…

Traditional Irish Meade

Sweet with honey and spices, traditional Irish Meade can be an ideal choice for the sunny autumn days, and it’s such a fun recipe to try. Treat yourself to this medieval Gaelic beverage, which is best enjoyed in delicate, fluted glasses for a touch of Emerald Isle elegance.

Authentic meade, which is made with white wine and honey, hearkens back to the days of romantic turreted castles, wild Irish horses, and flowing, laced gowns and breeches…

Meade, or honeywine, that is brewed from scratch requires typical wine making tools and equipment; if you’ve made your own wine at home, you’re a perfect candidate for testing out this seventh-century drink!

However, you can mimic the taste of aged honeywine by adding some tasty spices and sweetness to bottled white wine for the perfect effect.

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, and stir until well mixed; it may be best to add the honey gradually (to taste), as some will prefer a sweeter (or less-sugary tasting) meade. When all ingredients are combined, pour the meade into flutes and serve immediately. This sweet “dessert” wine is best served very cold.

For an easy shortcut and a taste of perfectly brewed, meticulously spiced meade (such as the Irish High Kings might have drunk), visit the liquor store and ask for a bottle of imported Irish Bunratty Mead.

When served warm, this beverage is known as mulled meade. Other mulled wines may be created by heating hearty red wines on low heat with cinnamon sticks, lemon, allspice, and cloves; these traditional drinks are wonderful treats for grown-ups on Halloween or at outdoor harvest festivals…